The NBA has been on a break for over 3 months use to the worldwide pandemic. However, as life starts to somewhat resume to normal, slowly but surely. The NBA has announced that they too will be resuming the league on July 30th. Naturally, due to lost time and the nature of simply wanting to resume things are certainly going to be different. The league is also taking the necessary precautions in order to protect, staff, players, and all at stake. Not only is the league targeting health and safety as a major priority with the resuming of the league but they are also aiming at overcoming systemic racism and promoting social justice. Big things are in store from the NBA but here are the details on what is being done, how it is, and what the players are expected to do too.
NBA Set To Resume
The season is resuming with a doubleheader on July 30th. Jazz and Pelicans will be going head-to-head as well as the Clippers versus the Lakers. The teams playing will each be playing eight games as per usual in order to see who qualifies for the playoffs. Playoffs are set to begin on August 17th. The majority of the players are naturally now in training, however, many have opted to not return due to injury, testing positive for COVID-19 as well as some being fearful of catching the virus. Additionally, players are staying across Disney properties. Staff and their families are also divided amongst these properties. The Grand Destino, the Grand Floridian, and the Yacht Club are the properties housing said players, and when not training they have full access to the movie theatres, video game stations, pools, trails, barbers, manicurists, and pedicurists. There are necessary protocols in place to ensure social distancing amongst all of these amenities. The NBA and Disney reached the agreement for all games and players to be hosted at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Florida. The quarantined area is now being referred to as “The Bubble.” Players have expressed that they feel safe there and are hopeful, some even saying it will now be the safest place in America regarding the pandemic. However, there are players who oppose this feeling and feel that the freedom given will lead to a lot of rule-breaking. I guess time will tell… Players are not allowed to leave the bubble for any reason besides health issues, or with special permission. Lastly, the NBA has developed a hotline that is anonymous and allows anyone to report individuals breaking the rules in place.
What about the next season’s lottery? Well, the lottery has been postponed to August 25th. However, with certain restrictions and changes in place, both the lottery and free-agent negotiations are scheduled and set. It looks like the NBA has really thought it all out, they are prepared and have set the protocols that they can in order for the season to resume, but also the next season.